Michelle says that, as a ‘betrayed woman’, she was the last to know about jewelry from Arabia – 07/03/2023 – Mônica Bergamo

Former first lady Michelle Bolsonaro claims that, as a “betrayed woman”, she was the “last to know” that jewelry would have been sent to her as a gift by the Saudi Arabian government in 2021.

She would also have no idea that the precious objects had been seized by the Federal Revenue over a year ago, and that the government of Jair Bolsonaro had mobilized to try to get them back.

Not even her husband, Jair Bolsonaro, would have passed on information to her after becoming aware of the episode.

The inspectors withheld at customs a pair of earrings, a ring, a necklace and a watch, made with precious stones, as well as a horse-shaped ornament with golden ornaments. The set would be worth R$ 16 million.

Michelle’s outburst was made to interlocutors after the case became a scandal last week.

The former first lady says she became aware of the facts on Friday (3), when a report by the newspaper O Estado de S. Paulo on the subject was sent to her by Fabio Wajngarten, former secretary of Communication of the government and close to the former president Jair Bolsonaro.

In the dialogues, the former first lady even showed suspicion, at first, that someone involved in transporting the jewels would have tried to take possession of the goods.

After all, if the gift was intended for her, how could she still not have been informed, more than a year after sending the precious objects?

Showing irritation at having her name involved in the scandal, Michelle informed the interlocutors that Jair Bolsonaro would only have been informed about the gift and retention of the jewels at the end of last year, when the government was mobilizing to withdraw them from the Federal Revenue Service.

Her husband, however, would not have told her anything, who only found out about the confusion last week. The first lady further stated that she would consult with lawyers on what to do.

She wants to know if there is still a way to remove the objects from the Federal Revenue to return them to Saudi Arabia.

The case is being investigated by the Federal Police.

In October 2021, a military adviser to the then Minister Bento Albuquerque (Mines and Energy) tried to land in Brazil with a series of luxury items – among them, the gems destined for Michelle. As the goods were not declared, they ended up seized by the Federal Revenue Service.

According to the rules in force, goods acquired abroad with a value greater than US$ 1,000 (a little over R$ 5,000) must be declared to the Revenue upon entry into Brazil. When they exceed this amount, they are subject to the charge of Import Tax, which is 50% on the surplus.

As there was no declaration, the agency seized the goods and demanded payment of the Import Tax, offering the option for the Ministry of Mines and Energy to formally request recognition of the condition of the goods as Union property —which would unlock the items without the payment need.

Jair Bolsonaro’s government made several unsuccessful attempts to recover the jewels.

When the case came to light, Michelle posted on a social network: “You mean ‘I have all this’ and I didn’t know? My God! [sic] vexing”.

_{with BIANKA VIEIRA, KARINA MATIAS It is MANOELLA SMITH}

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